Transcript

1.
BIG HISTORY PROJECT / LESSON 5.3
LIVING IN THE EXTREMES OF THE BIOSPHERE
Even though earthquakes, hurricanes, and hot, humid summers might make
it seem otherwise, the fact is that humans live in a “comfort zone” close to
the surface of the Earth. There are many species, however, that live outside
of this comfort zone. What makes these regions different from the com-
fort zone we live in? What challenges would humans face if they chose — or
were forced — to live in the extremes of the biosphere?
Look carefully at the image The Biosphere, on the next page, paying par-
ticular attention to the information the image provides about the highest and
lowest points above and below the surface of the Earth where species are
found. Note what these extreme locations are like.
As quickly as you can, make a list of 10 challenges that humans would face
if they lived in these extremes of the biosphere.
Be prepared to share your list with the class.

2.
BIG HISTORY PROJECT / LESSON 5.3
LIVING IN THE EXTREMES OF THE BIOSPHERE
BIOSPHERE
COMFORT
ZONE
RÜPPELL'S GRIFFON
Gypps rupelli
BAR-HEADED GOOSE
Anser indicus
MOST BIRDS
Fly within 2 km
of the ground
MOST LIFE ON EARTH
Lives in a thin layer on, near,
or under the surface
SPERM WHALE
Physeter macrocephalus
EXTREMOPHILE BACTERIA
Staphylothermus marinus &
Thermoproteus tenax
DEVIL WORM
Halicephalobus mephisto
GIANT SQUID
Architeuthis dux
ANGLERFISH
Cryptopsaras couesii
SNAILFISH
Liparidae
FORAMINIFERA
Single-celled protists
12
8.8
5
3
0
2
11
KILOMETERS
AIR
SEA
LAND
MOUNT EVEREST
CHALLENGER DEEP
Its summit 8,848 meters (29,029
feet) above sea level, Mount
Everest is the world’s highest
mountain. Located on the
Nepal-Tibet border, Everest is one
of many peaks taller than 8,000
meters in the massive Himalayan
range. The Himalayas were formed
40–50 million years ago when the
Indian plate collided with the
Eurasian plate. The intense cold at
this altitude makes for a rough
habitat, but birds have been seen
flying over Everest and some even
nest on its lower slopes.
At least 10,902 meters (35,768 feet)
below sea level, Challenger Deep is
the deepest depression in the western
Pacific’s Mariana Trench. The trench,
near Guam, was formed when the
Pacific plate was subducted beneath
the smaller Mariana plate. The
pressure this deep in the ocean is
more than a thousand times that at
sea level, but some organisms
thrive in these extreme conditions.